Abstract: An aerodynamic accessory mounting bracket includes a body formed from a carbon fiber material. The body includes a first portion constructed to engage a seat post of a bicycle and a second portion that extends rearward from the first portion. The second portion of the body is constructed to support the connection of accessories such as water bottles, spare tires, CO2 containers, tire pumps or other cycling accessories thereto. The aerodynamic construction of the mounting bracket reduces the drag effects associated with the accessory mounting system.

Abstract: A protective yarn having a single fiberglass core fiber and one or more cover members is disclosed. At least one of the cover members are fibers selected from the group consisting of aramid fiber, ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fiber, polyester, nylon and polyacrylic fibers. To prevent glass fragment breakout, the cover members are wrapped, wound or twisted around the core in a manner which permits successive layers to be wrapped, wound or twisted around the core in an opposite direction from the cover member immediately below. In a preferred embodiment, one of the cover members is a substantially non-slippery fiber. The non-slippery fiber is selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon and cotton. The construction and composition of the invented protective yarn provides a low cost component for making protective gloves and other protective garments capable of providing a user substantial cut protection while affording the user significant freedom of movement.

Abstract: A protective yarn having a single fiberglass core fiber and one or more cover members is disclosed. At least one of the cover members are fibers selected from the group consisting of aramid fiber, ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fiber, polyester, nylon and polyacrylic fibers. To prevent glass fragment breakout, the cover members are wrapped, wound or twisted around the core in a manner which permits successive layers to be wrapped, wound or twisted around the core in an opposite direction from the cover member immediately below. In a preferred embodiment, one of the cover members is a substantially non-slippery fiber. The non-slippery fiber is selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon and cotton. The construction and composition of the invented protective yarn provides a low cost component for making protective gloves and other protective garments capable of providing a user substantial cut protection while affording the user significant freedom of movement.

Abstract: A composite yarn formed of melt-fusible thermoplastic fibers combined with selected other fibers and/or materials includes a containment barrier that encapsulates one or more core materials which may present a threat of contamination to workers and/or the environment. The composite yarn includes a core covered by an adhesive layer of thermoplastic material which forms a containment barrier, combined with one or more subsequent overlying layers of fibers wrapped or otherwise applied thereto using conventional yarn construction methods. In a preferred embodiment the core material is coated with a liquid adhesive, and preferably a polyester-based polyurethane which contains silicon grit, just prior to being wrapped with one or more layers of fibers which form the containment barrier. The cured and finished composite yarn is designed for knitting and weaving fabrics, or for otherwise forming cordage and non-woven products.

Abstract: Protective articles that provide an unprecedented level of safety and comfort are made of a composite fabric in a continuous, one-step process. The composite fabric incorporates two or more dissimilar yarns or materials, such as thermoplastics, elastomers, metals and other materials not commonly viewed as textiles, each having dissimilar mechanical properties and characteristics that provide optimum protection against the threats of injury associated with a particular application. The continuous, one-step manufacturing process overcomes the disadvantages of the existing labor intensive, costly process of piecing together a protective article from a plurality of separate fabrics made of different materials. Thus, the invented process is both cost effective and minimizes the inefficient use of a heavy weight fabric in regions of the article where exceptional protection is not critical to avoid the accompanying loss of tactile sensitivity and increase in the stiffness and rigidity of the article.

Abstract: A composite yarn formed of melt-fusible thermoplastic fibers combined with selected other fibers and/or materials includes a containment barrier that encapsulates one or more core materials which may present a threat of contamination to workers and/or the environment. The composite yarn includes a core covered by an adhesive layer of thermoplastic material which forms a containment barrier, combined with one or more subsequent overlying layers of fibers wrapped or otherwise applied thereto using conventional yarn construction methods. In a preferred embodiment the core material is coated with a liquid adhesive, and preferably a polyester-based polyurethane which contains silicon grit, just prior to being wrapped with one or more layers of fibers which form the containment barrier. The cured and finished composite yarn is designed for knitting and weaving fabrics, or for otherwise forming cordage and non-woven products.

Abstract: A composite yarn formed of melt-fusible thermoplastic fibers combined with selected other fibers and/or materials includes a containment barrier that encapsulates one or more core materials which may present a threat of contamination to workers and/or the environment. The composite yarn includes a core covered by an adhesive layer of thermoplastic material which forms a containment barrier, combined with one or more subsequent overlying layers of fibers wrapped or otherwise applied thereto using conventional yarn construction methods. In a preferred embodiment the core material is coated with a liquid adhesive, and preferably a polyester-based polyurethane which contains silicon grit, just prior to being wrapped with one or more layers of fibers which form the containment barrier. The cured and finished composite yarn is designed for knitting and weaving fabrics, or for otherwise forming cordage and non-woven products.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite layered protective fabric having an outer primary layer composed of an abrasive material and an inner primary layer composed of an inherently cut-resistant material positioned below the outer primary layer and when assembled into a garment is positioned proximate to the wearer's skin. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a secondary layer is added to the inner and outer layer framework. The secondary layer is composed of a material that provides additional protection against potential threats other than cuts, that increases comfort or that improves aesthetics. The invented composite fabric is continuously manufactured in a one-step process which plates the layers of yarn. Thus formed, the invented composite fabric can be formed into cut-resistant apparel and articles that provide a high level of protection against sharp objects.

Abstract: A homogeneous process for hydrocracking of carbohydrates in the presence of soluble transition metal hydrogenation catalyst with the production of lower polyhydric alcohols. A carbohydrate is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a soluble transition metal catalyst and a strong base at a temperature of from about 25.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 to about 3000 psi.

Abstract: Carbohydrates, especially aldose or ketose sugars, including those whose carbonyl group is masked by hemi-acetal or hemi-ketal formation, are decarbonylated by heating the feed carbohydrate together with a transition metal complex in a suitable solvent. Also, primary alcohols, including sugar alditols are simultaneously dehydrogenated and decarbonylated by heating a mixture of rhodium and ruthenium complexes and the alcohol and optionally a hydrogen acceptor in an acceptable solvent. Such defarbonylation and/or dehydrogenation of sugars provides a convenient procedure for the synthesis of certain carbohydrates and may provide a means for the conversion of biomass into useful products.